RUTH WELCOMES EARLY YEARS WORKFORCE EXPANSION

The Scottish Government announcement that there will be an extra £1.5 million investment for more nursery teachers and graduates in deprived areas across Scotland has been welcomed by local MSP for Cunninghame South, Ruth Maguire – with North Ayrshire set to receive 24 additional teachers or graduates.

The new staff in North Ayrshire, part of 435 nationwide, is part of the wider strategy of tackling the attainment gap and giving every child an equal start in life. The provision of extra high qualified childcare professionals will ensure that North Ayrshire young people benefit from the highest quality care and early years education.

The Scottish Government is taking decisive action to improve early years learning and childcare, including expanding guaranteed free provision to 1140 hours by 2020 – which will have a positive impact for families across North Ayrshire.

Commenting, Ruth said:

“This new funding is very welcome news for Cunninghame South, helping to ensure that more children in our most deprived communities are able to benefit from specialised childcare and high quality early years learning.

“The Scottish Government is committed to closing the attainment gap, and targeting funding in this way, as well as expanding the guaranteed free childcare provision from 1140 hours to 2020 hours, is important in making this happen, and to ensure that every child across North Ayrshire gets an equal start in life.

“The 24 new graduates or teachers that will be joining our workforce in North Ayrshire will help improve childcare provision in our communities, and I look forward to seeing the Scottish Government continue to invest in our children’s futures.”